Systems and methods for cards and devices operable to communicate to touch sensitive displays

ABSTRACT

A card is provided with a touch transmitter operable to electrically communicate touch signals to a touch-sensitive screen such as a capacitive touch sensitive screen. In doing so, for example, a card may directly communicate with a mobile telephonic device or portable computer (e.g., a tablet computer).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/345,649, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CARDS ANDDEVICES OPERABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO TOUCH SENSITIVE DISPLAYS,” filed May18, 2010 (Attorney Docket No. D/035 PROV) and U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/345,659, titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CARDS ANDDEVICES OPERABLE TO COMMUNICATE VIA LIGHT PULSING,” filed May 18, 2010(Attorney Docket No. D/036 PROV), all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to magnetic cards and devices and associatedpayment systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card may include a dynamic magnetic communications device. Such adynamic magnetic communications device may take the form of a magneticencoder or a magnetic emulator. A magnetic encoder may change theinformation located on a magnetic medium such that a magnetic stripereader may read changed magnetic information from the magnetic medium. Amagnetic emulator may generate electromagnetic fields that directlycommunicate data to a magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic emulatormay communicate data serially to a read-head of the magnetic stripereader.

All, or substantially all, of the front as well as the back of a cardmay be a display (e.g., bi-stable, non bi-stable, LCD, LED, orelectrochromic display). Electrodes of a display may be coupled to oneor more capacitive touch sensors such that a display may be provided asa touch-screen display. Any type of touch-screen display may beutilized. Such touch-screen displays may be operable of determiningmultiple points of touch. Accordingly, a barcode may be displayed acrossall, or substantially all, of a surface of a card. In doing so, computervision equipment such as barcode readers may be less susceptible toerrors in reading a displayed barcode.

A card may include a number of output devices to output dynamicinformation. For example, a card may include one or more RFIDs or ICchips to communicate to one or more RFID readers or IC chip readers,respectively. A card may include devices to receive information. Forexample, an RFID and IC chip may both receive information andcommunicate information to an RFID and IC chip reader, respectively. Adevice for receiving wireless information signals may be provided. Alight sensing device or sound sensing device may be utilized to receiveinformation wirelessly. A card may include a central processor thatcommunicates data through one or more output devices simultaneously(e.g., an RFID, IC chip, and a dynamic magnetic stripe communicationsdevice). The central processor may receive information from one or moreinput devices simultaneously (e.g., an RFID, IC chip, dynamic magneticstripe devices, light sensing device, and a sound sensing device). Aprocessor may be coupled to surface contacts such that the processor mayperform the processing capabilities of, for example, an EMV chip. Theprocessor may be laminated over and not exposed such that such aprocessor is not exposed on the surface of the card.

A card may be provided with a button in which the activation of thebutton causes a code to be communicated through a dynamic magneticstripe communications device (e.g., the subsequent time a read-headdetector on the card detects a read-head). The code may be indicativeof, for example, a feature (e.g., a payment feature). The code may bereceived by the card via manual input (e.g., onto buttons of the card)or via a wireless transmission (e.g., via light, electromagneticcommunications, sound, or other wireless signals). A code may becommunicated from a webpage (e.g., via light and/or sound) to a card. Acard may include a display such that a received code may be visuallydisplayed to a user. In doing so, the user may be provided with a way toselect, and use, the code via both an in-store setting (e.g., via amagnetic stripe reader) or an online setting (e.g., by reading the codefrom a display and entering the code into a text box on a checkout pageof an online purchase transaction). A remote server, such as a paymentauthorization server, may receive the code and may process a paymentdifferently based on the code received. For example, a code may be asecurity code to authorize a purchase transaction. A code may provide apayment feature such that a purchase may be made with points, debit,credit, installment payments, or deferred payments via a single paymentaccount number (e.g., a credit card number) to identify a user and apayment feature code to select the type of payment a user desires toutilize.

A dynamic magnetic stripe communications device may include a magneticemulator that comprises an inductor (e.g., a coil). Current may beprovided through this coil to create an electromagnetic field operableto communicate with the read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. The drivecircuit may fluctuate the amount of current travelling through the coilsuch that a track of magnetic stripe data may be communicated to aread-head of a magnetic stripe reader. A switch (e.g., a transistor) maybe provided to enable or disable the flow of current according to, forexample, a frequency/double-frequency (F2F) encoding algorithm. In doingso, bits of data may be communicated.

A card may include a touch transmitter that may activate a capacitivetouch sensor on another device such that the other device believes auser physically touched the capacitive touch sensor with his/her finger.Accordingly, a touch transmitter may activate a capacitive touch screen,such as a capacitive touch screen located on a mobile telephonic device,tablet computing device, or a capacitive touch screen of a laptop orstationary computer. The touch transmitter may, accordingly, communicateinformation to a device (e.g., to a mobile telephonic device) byactivating and deactivating a touch sensor (or sensors) on a capacitivetouch screen in a particular manner. For example, a touch transmittermay communicate information serially by activating and deactivating acapacitive touch screen sensor with respect to time. A touch transmittermay, accordingly, communicate information via a capacitive touch sensorusing F2F encoding, where a state transition occurs either at anactivation or, for example, at an activation as well as a deactivation.In this manner, a card may communicate information directly to a mobiletelephonic device with a capacitive touch screen, or any device with acapacitive touch screen, without requiring any physical connections orthe use of proprietary communication protocols. A software program mayrun on the device having the touch screen that is operable to determineinformation provided by one or more touch transmitters from a devicesuch as a battery-powered payment card. The software program may, forexample, determine different bits of information by measuring the timebetween state transitions. For example, a particular time period betweenstate transitions may be determined as one bit of information (e.g., a“0” or “1,” respectively). A another particular time period betweenstate transitions may be determined as a different bit of information(e.g., a “1” or a “0,” respectively). A message provided from a touchtransmitter may initially include a string of a particular length of aparticular bit (e.g., four or five bits) such that the software programmay lock onto, track, and determine the time duration of that particularbit such that future received bits may be properly determined. Oneparticular time period associated with one bit of information may beapproximately twice as long in duration as another particular timeperiod associated with a different bit of information.

A card, or other device, may utilize one or more touch transmitters tocommunicate any type of information. For example, a card may utilize atouch transmitter to communicate a payment card number, and associateddata (e.g., associated discretionary data such as payment codes andexpiration date), such that a payment purchase may be completed. Forexample, a card may utilize a touch transmitter to communicate track 1,track 2, and/or track 3 magnetic stripe information to a device. Asoftware program may be provided on the device receiving the magneticstripe information that completes a purchase transaction based on themagnetic stripe data received from the touch screen. As per anotherexample, a card may communicate information indicative of one or moreuser selections on the card such that user selections may becommunicated to a capacitive touch screen (e.g., in addition to paymentdata and/or other data). As per yet another example, messages may becommunicated to a device having a capacitive touch screen to provide thedevice with status on a communication. For example, a card maycommunicate a message to a device, via its capacitive touch screen, thata message is about to be sent or a message has completed transfer. Thecard may also communicate identification and password information suchthat the card may securely identify itself to a device.

The card may receive information from a device having a capacitive touchscreen such that bi-directional communications may occur with the deviceutilizing the capacitive touch screen. For example, a card may receiveinformation via light pulses emitted from the capacitive touch display.More particularly, for example, a software program may be installed in adevice (e.g., a mobile telephone) operable to emit messages, via light,to a card and receive messages, via touch, from the card. Thebi-directional communication may happen in parallel (e.g., light pulsesmay be sent to the card simultaneously with touch pulses being receivedfrom the card). The bi-directional communications may happensequentially (e.g., the card may communicate via touch and then, afterthe card communicates, the card may receive communication from thedevice via light and, after the device communicates, the card maycommunicate via touch). The device may communicate identification andpassword information via light pulses to a battery-powered card (orother device) such that the battery-powered device may securely identifythe communicating device. In this manner, the devices may initiate ahandshake in order to identify each other and initiate a securecommunications channel between the two devices. At least one of thedevices may communicate with a remote server (e.g., via a telephoniccommunications channel) to receive information about the devicecommunicating with it such that received identification and passwordinformation may be identified by the remote server. The identificationand password information for multiple devices may be, for example,stored locally on any one of the devices.

Bi-directional communication may, for example, allow for handshaking tooccur between the two devices such that each device may be identifiedand setup a secure communication channel via light pulses and touchpulses. Additionally, for example, information indicative of receipt ofmessage may be communicated via light and/or touch. Information may becommunicated in other ways such as, for example, via sound orelectromagnetic pulses. Synchronization signals may be communicatedbefore and after a message. For example, a string of particular bits(e.g., “0”s) may appear before every message in order for a card, orother device, to lock onto the timing of the information beingtransmitted in the signal. For example, a zero may be transmitted via a“short” touch pulse and a one may be transmitted via a “long” touchpulse. In synchronizing the signal, the receiving device may trainitself onto the duration of a “short” touch pulse versus a “long” touchpulse. A “short” touch pulse may be the time between activations of acapacitive sensor or the time between the activation and deactivation ofa touch sensor.

A card may include one or more light sensors, touch transmitters,capacitive touch sensors, and/or light emitters. Accordingly, twoinstances of such a card may communicate bi-directionally via light aswell as via capacitive touch.

A webpage, or other graphical user interface, may be displayed on adevice (e.g., a mobile telephonic phone) and may interact with a card,both via communicating light information and receiving touchinformation, and this information may be communicated to a remoteserver. Such a remote server may be, for example, an authenticationserver utilized to complete a purchase or other transaction. In thismanner, a user does not need, for example, to load his/her paymentinformation into a website. Instead, for example, a user may gather avariety of items for purchase and may select to pay with atouch-communicating card. At this moment, the user may hold the card tothe display of a device (e.g., a mobile telephonic phone or portablecomputer) and the payment information may be securely communicated, viathe webserver, to a remote server for payment authorization.

A touch transmitter on a card may be, for example, mechanical orelectronic in nature. For example, a mechanical switch may physicallyconnect a conductive material having a particular capacitance to anotherconductive material having a different particular capacitance. In doingso, for example, the mechanical switch may determine whether aconductive area has a capacitance approximately that of a finger inorder to communicate information to a capacitive touch screen. As peranother example, a circuit may be provided that electrically provides aparticular capacitance on a plate (e.g., a particular electrostaticfield having a particular capacitance). In doing so, a microprocessormay electronically trigger one or more capacitive touch sensors on acapacitive touch screen of a device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a graphical user interface constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of a system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a graphical user interface constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a system constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of flow charts constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of flow charts constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a network topology constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a device constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that may include, for example, a dynamic numberthat may be entirely, or partially, displayed via display 112. A dynamicnumber may include a permanent portion such as, for example, permanentportion 111. Permanent portion 111 may be printed as well as embossed orlaser etched on card 100. Multiple displays may be provided on a card.For example, display 113 may be utilized to display a dynamic code suchas a dynamic security code. Display 125 may also be provided to displaylogos, barcodes, as well as multiple lines of information. A display maybe a bi-stable display or non bi-stable display. Permanent information119 may also be included and may include information such as informationspecific to a user (e.g., a user's name or username) or informationspecific to a card (e.g., a card issue date and/or a card expirationdate). Card 100 may include one or more buttons such as buttons 130-134.Such buttons may be mechanical buttons, capacitive buttons, or acombination or mechanical and capacitive buttons. A button (e.g., button130) may be used, for example, to communicate information through adynamic magnetic stripe communications device indicative of a user'sdesire to communicate a single track of magnetic stripe information.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that pressing a button (e.g.,button 130) may cause information to be communicated through a dynamicmagnetic stripe communications device when an associated read-headdetector detects the presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripereader. Button 130 may be utilized to communicate (e.g., after button130 is pressed and after a read-head detects a read-head of a reader)information indicative of a user selection (e.g., to communicate twotracks of magnetic stripe data). Multiple buttons may be provided on acard and each button may be associated with a different user selection.Card 100 may include, for example, touch transmitter 126 and lightsensor 127.

Architecture 150 may be utilized with any card. Architecture 150 mayinclude processor 120. Processor 120 may have on-board memory forstoring information (e.g., drive code). Any number of components maycommunicate to processor 120 and/or receive communications fromprocessor 120. For example, one or more displays (e.g., display 140) maybe coupled to processor 120. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat components may be placed between particular components andprocessor 120. For example, a display driver circuit may be coupledbetween display 140 and processor 120. Memory 144 may be coupled toprocessor 120. Memory 144 may include data that is unique to aparticular card. For example, memory 144 may store discretionary datacodes associated with buttons of a card (e.g., card 100 of FIG. 1). Suchcodes may be recognized by remote servers to effect particular actions.For example, a code may be stored in memory 144 that causes a promotionto be implemented by a remote server (e.g., a remote server coupled to acard issuer's website). Memory 144 may store types of promotions that auser may have downloaded to the device and selected on the device foruse. Each promotion may be associated with a button. Or, for example, auser may scroll through a list of promotions on a display on the frontof the card (e.g., using buttons to scroll through the list). A user mayselect the type of payment on card 100 via manual input interfacescorresponding to displayed options on display 125. Selected informationmay be communicated to a magnetic stripe reader via a dynamic magneticstripe communications device. Selected information may also becommunicated to a device (e.g., a mobile telephonic device) having acapacitive sensor or other type of touch sensitive sensor.

Card 100 may include, for example, any number of touch transmitters 126or light sensors 127. Touch transmitters 126 may be utilized, forexample, to activate and deactivate a touch sensor on a capacitive, orother, touch screen. In doing so, a device having a touch screen maybelieve that a user is physically providing physical instructions to thedevice when a card is actually providing physical instructions to thedevice. Light sensors 127 may be utilized such that a display screen, orother light emitting device, may communicate information to lightsensors 127 via light.

Any number of reader communication devices may be included inarchitecture 150. For example, IC chip 152 may be included tocommunicate information to an IC chip reader. IC chip 152 may be, forexample, an EMV chip. As per another example, RFID 151 may be includedto communicate information to an RFID reader. A magnetic stripecommunications device may also be included to communicate information toa magnetic stripe reader. Such a magnetic stripe communications devicemay provide electromagnetic signals to a magnetic stripe reader.Different electromagnetic signals may be communicated to a magneticstripe reader to provide different tracks of data. For example,electromagnetic field generators 170, 180, and 185 may be included tocommunicate separate tracks of information to a magnetic stripe reader.Such electromagnetic field generators may include a coil wrapped aroundone or more materials (e.g., a soft-magnetic material and a non-magneticmaterial). Each electromagnetic field generator may communicateinformation serially to a receiver of a magnetic stripe reader for aparticular magnetic stripe track. Read-head detectors 171 and 172 may beutilized to sense the presence of a magnetic stripe reader (e.g., aread-head housing of a magnetic stripe reader). This sensed informationmay be communicated to processor 120 to cause processor 120 tocommunicate information serially from electromagnetic generators 170,180, and 185 to magnetic stripe track receivers in a read-head housingof a magnetic stripe reader. Accordingly, a magnetic stripecommunications device may change the information communicated to amagnetic stripe reader at any time. Processor 120 may, for example,communicate user-specific and card-specific information through RFID151, IC chip 152, and electromagnetic generators 170, 180, and 185 tocard readers coupled to remote information processing servers (e.g.,purchase authorization servers). Driving circuitry 141 may be utilizedby processor 120, for example, to control electromagnetic generators170, 180, and 185.

Architecture 150 may also include, for example, touch transmitter 142 aswell as light sensor 143. Architecture 150 may communicate informationfrom touch transmitter 142 as well as receive information from lightsensor 143. Processor 120 may communicate information through touchtransmitter 142 and determine information received by light sensor 143.Processor 120 may store information on memory 144 to later be, forexample, communicated via touch transmitter 142.

FIG. 2 shows graphical user interface (GUI) 200 that may be displayed,for example, from a stationary or portable computer, a mobile telephonicphone, a tablet computer, a navigational system, a watch, a card, or anydevice having a display screen. Graphical user interface 200 may behosted, for example, from a server and may communicate with a number ofadditional servers. For example, graphical user interface 200 may beprovided on a web browser, or other application run from a device, tocomplete a purchase transaction. GUI 200 may include, for example, inputtext boxes for a user to enter a card number, card type, expirationdate, security code, name, address, and zip code. A submit button (notshown) may be included, for example, to communicate this information toa remote server for authorization. Additional text boxes may beincluded, for example, such as a text box for additional discretionarypayment data or a shipping address.

GUI 200 may also have communication area 280 surrounded by status area270. Communication area 280 may be utilized, for example, to communicatedata to/from a card or other device via light output and tactile input.Status area 270 may be utilized to communicate to a user of the statusof the communication.

Accordingly, for example, GUI 200 may receive payment information from acard via a touch sensor located on a display providing GUI 200. GUI 200may communicate information to a card via light (e.g., light pulses).Accordingly, for example, a secure communication may occur between acard and GUI 200. The information may be displayed in the text boxes(e.g., the text boxes may be auto filled either completely orpartially). Alternatively, for example, no information may be shown.Status area 270 may, for example, provide a particular color of light(e.g., yellow) to indicate to the user that the process is underway. Adifferent color of light may be displayed before the process begins(e.g., red). Yet a different color of light may be displayed after theprocess is completed (e.g., green).

The information may be communicated in encrypted form to GUI 200. GUI200 may then, for example, decrypt the information or forward theencrypted message to a remote server for processing. In doing so, forexample, GUI 200 may not be exposed to any unprotected sensitiveinformation. Information communicated from the card to the GUI mayinclude, for example, card number, card type, expiration date, securitycode, zip code, address, email address, shipping address, additionaldiscretionary data, discretionary data indicative of user-selectedpayment codes, or any other type of information. A card may also,communicate, for example encryption keys as well as other data fordevice handshaking and secure communication protocols. A card may, forexample, communicate an email address and a password via a touchtransmitter generated by the card. In doing so, for example, a paymentmay be authorized based on an email address and a password. An amountmay also be entered into a card, or other device, by a user andcommunicated to GUI 200 via touch-based communications from the card.

One or more light sensors or touch transmitters may be located on acard. For example, a touch transmitter may be located at opposite endsof a card. A user may touch a button (e.g., a download button) to startcommunicating data via the touch transmitter. The GUI may be able todetermine whether, for example, one or more touch transmitters arelocated within communication area 280. If the card is not aligned, theuser may be notified (e.g., by status area 270 performing a particularaction, such as blinking or displaying particular text or color) untilthe card is properly aligned within communication area 280.Communication area 280 may communicate information, via light, back tothe card, or other device, that the card is being realigned such thatthe card does not require a user to repress a particular button (e.g., a“download” button). In doing so, GUI 200 may communicate the status ofthe communication back to a card, or other device, held againstcommunication area 280 via light.

FIG. 3 shows card 300, which may be provided in a verticalconfiguration. Card 300 may include, for example, issuer logo 310,network logo 370, display 350, manual input interfaces 341-343, touchtransmitter 320, light sensor 330, permanent indicia 351, 362, and 363.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that any permanent indiciamay be provided via display 350. For example, one or more payment cardnumbers, user name, expiration date, and security codes may be providedvia display 350. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that touchtransmitter 320 and/or light sensor 330 may be placed in the proximityof a corner of a card. By placing touch transmitter 320 in the proximityof a corner of a card, the corner of the card may be placed over aportion of a capacitive touch screen and communicate data without theneed for the entire card to be placed over the capacitive touch screen.Display 350 may, for example, be utilized to display a payment cardnumber such as a fifteen or sixteen digit credit or debit card number.Manual input interface 341 may, for example, allow a user to scroll in aparticular direction (e.g., the left direction or the up direction) of alist of options. Manual input interface 343 may, for example, allow auser to scroll in a different direction (e.g., the right direction orthe down direction) or a list of options. Manual input interface 342may, for example, allow a user to select an option from a list ofoptions.

FIG. 4 shows system 400 that may include mobile telephonic device 490and device 410 (e.g., a payment card). Device 410 may include, forexample, display 420 that may display status indicative of acommunication. A touch transmitter and/or light sensor may be providedon a surface of device 410 opposite display 420. In this manner, forexample, device 410 may communicate with mobile telephonic device 490 asdevice 410 is held against device 490, but device 410 may communicateinformation indicative of the status of a communication via display 420.

Device 490 may include housing 491, button 495, and capacitive touchdisplay screen 499. Device 410 may utilize a touch transmitter to, forexample, communicate information to mobile telephonic device 490.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a mobile bankingapplication may be utilized on mobile telephonic device 490. Device 410may be utilized to properly identify a person securely in order toreduce fraud. Accordingly, device 410 may communicate identificationinformation and security codes, such as time based or used based codes,to device 490 via display 499. Accordingly, such an identification maybe required, for example, by a banking application in order to gainaccess to banking information, execute a financial trade (e.g., a stockor option trade), transfer money, or pay a bill via an electronic check.

FIG. 5 shows device 500 that may include, for example, touch transmitter541, light sensor 542, light emitting diodes 561 and 562, buttons 571and 572, permanent information 520 and 530, as well as light sensor 543and touch transmitter 544.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that multiple touchtransmitters may communicate data simultaneously in parallel to a touchscreen. Similarly, for example, multiple light sensors may receive datasimultaneously in parallel from a display screen. The information maybe, for example, different or the same. By communicating the sameinformation through different touch transmitters, a device may receivetwo messages and confirm receipt of a communication if the two messagesare the same. Touch transmitters may be utilized, for example, bysoftware on a device to determine the positioning of device 500 on anassociated touch screen. Similarly, light sensors may be utilized, forexample, to receive information indicative of the positioning of device500 on an associated touch screen. The electronics of a card (e.g., atouch transmitter) may be provided on a single or multiple layerflexible printed circuit board and laminated via a hot-lamination orcold-lamination process. An injection process may be utilized where oneor more liquids may be provided about an electronics package andhardened (e.g., via a light, temperature, pressure, and/or chemicalprocess) to form a card. A card may be, for example, betweenapproximately 30 and 33 thousandths of an inch thick.

FIG. 6 shows GUI 600 that may include navigation bar 610 and main screen620. GUI 600 may be, for example, a web browser for a mobile bankingapplication. A user may be required to, for example, enter a username,password, and authenticate by holding a banking card to a display overarea 660 such that the banking card may communicate an authenticationmessage. In doing so, status area 650 may change to display indiciaindicative of an authenticated identity. The card may also receiveinformation, via light or other method (e.g., sound) as part of theauthentication process. Upon authentication, the user may be providedaccess to the mobile banking application or a particular transaction mayoccur (e.g., a funds transfer may be initiated or a purchase transactionmay be authorized). Such an authentication process may occur for anyprocess, such as a process performed at least in part on an applicationor webpage of a device.

FIG. 7 shows device 700 that may include housing 710 and touch displayscreen 720. A user may hold a card anywhere on touch display screen 720and a software program running on device 700 may detect the orientationand position of card 740 on touch display screen 720 via touch pulsescommunicated via touch transmitters 741 and 744. Light sensors 742 and743 may be utilized such that device 700 may communicate informationback to card 740 via light. Device 700 may communicate light in theproximity of light sensors 742 and/or 743 by determining the locationand orientation of card 740 on device 700. In doing so, for example,light pulses may be generated by device 700, but may be hidden from theview of a user via card 740. One or more buttons 715 may be provided ondevice 700. Button 715 may, for example, be utilized to turn a displayof device 700 OFF and/or toggle display of device 700 between ON andOFF.

FIG. 8 shows system 800 having device 810 with button 815 and touchsensitive display 820 and card 840 having touch transmitters 841 and 844and light sensors 842 and 843. Software on device 810 may detect touchpulses from card 840 and may confirm the presence of card 840 bycreating status area 830 around card 840 in the proximity of card 840and in the approximate configuration of card 840. Status area 830 mayform a frame around a card and, as such, may be longer and wider than acard. Status area 830 may be, for example, a box in which a card may beplaced and, as such, may be longer and wider than a card. Indicia may beprovided in status area 830 such as, for example, text informationdescribing a status of a process (e.g., “orientation confirmed,”“authorizing transaction,” “transaction authorized, please removecard.”). Status area 830 may, for example, change colors as the statusof a process changes. For example, status area 830 may be a first colorwhile a transaction is being authorized and a second color after atransaction is authorized.

FIG. 9 shows touch transmitter 900 that may include piezoelectricactuator 911, conductive layer 912, and dome 913. Piezoelectric actuator911 may be coupled to board 910, which may be a single or multiple layerflexible printed circuit board. A processor may control the actuationstate of piezoelectric actuator 911 in order to move conductive layer912 closer to, or further away, from the surface of a device. In doingso, the processor may physically touch and untouch a touch screen inorder to provide input to that touch screen. For example, piezoelectricactuator 911 may be retracted to position 921 as shown in state 920.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that conductor 912 may have acapacitance approximate to the capacitance of a finger and that dome 913may not be included such that conductor 912 may physically touch a touchsensitive display.

FIG. 10 shows touch transmitter 1000 that may include, for example,board 1010 and conductive layer 1020. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that board 1010 may be a single or multiple layer printedcircuit board with printing on a single or both surfaces of each layer.Board 1010 may be a flexible circuit board reinforced with additionalmaterial (e.g., Kevlar). Board 1010 may be, for example, a single ormultiple layer flexible printed circuit board. Components may be fixedto board 1010 using, for example, a wire-bonding, flip-on-flex, oranother assembly process. Conductor 1020 may be, for example, an area ofcopper provided on the surface of board 1010. Accordingly, conductor1020 may be printed on the surface of board 1010 such that, for example,additional assembly efforts are not required and the cost of touchtransmitter 1000 is decreased. A processor (not shown) may providecontrol signals to a mechanical switch (not shown) in order tophysically connect additional conductive material, or other components,to conductor 1020. In doing so, the processor may physically change theamount of capacitance seen at conductor 1020 by a capacitive touchscreen. Accordingly, a processor may send information signals to thecapacitive touch screen by mechanically and/or electrically coupling anddecoupling capacitance to conductor 1020 based on a particular encodingpolicy (e.g., F2F encoding).

Touch transmitter 1000 may include circuitry 1050 that may, for example,electrically change the capacitance of conductor 1020 on board 1010.Circuitry 1050 may include, for example, supply voltage 1051, diode1052, transistor 1053, conductor 1057 (e.g., which may be conductor1020), resistor 1054, resistor 1058, diode 1059, diode 1055, ground1056, and input terminal 1060. A processor (not shown) may be coupled toterminal 1060. Accordingly, a processor may electrically control a touchtransmitter such that the touch transmitter may electrically touch acapacitive touch screen without mechanically touching the capacitivetouch screen.

A capacitive touch screen is provided and may be fabricated to include,for example, a set of conductors that interact with electric fields. Ahuman finger may include a number of conductive electrolytes covered bya layer of skin (e.g., a lossy dielectric). A finger's capacitance mayvary, for example, between approximately 50 pF and 250 pF. A finger'scapacitance may be referred to as Cf while the capacitance of a set ofone or more touch sensors without a finger present may be referred to asCp or parasitic capacitance.

A rectangular, square, circular, oval, or any shaped plate may beprovided. For example, plate 1057 may be provided. The plate may befabricated from a conductive material such as, for example, copper. Thearea of the plate may be, for example, constructed to be smaller thanthe area of a touch sensor on a touch screen or a particular set oftouch sensors on a touch screen. Plate 1057 may initially be providedwith an initial capacitance of approximately zero or close to zero(e.g., 5 pF or less). Transistor 1053 may be coupled to plate 1057.Transistor 1053 may be, for example, an NPN transistor. The capacitanceof transistor 1053 from collector to emitter, C_(CE), may beapproximately 5 pF or less. Initially, transistor 1053 may be OFF. Plate1057 may be connected, for example, to the emitter of transistor 1053and positioned to within the proximity of the touch sensor, or array oftouch sensors, to be touched. The capacitance of plate 1057 may be,while transistor 1053 is OFF, low enough so plate 1057 does not activateany touch sensor. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that aplate of a touch transmitter need not physically touch a touch sensor.Instead, for example, the plate of a touch transmitter may be locatedwithin the proximity of the touch sensor (e.g., separated from the touchsensor by a particular amount). For example, the plate may beapproximately 5 to 30 thousandths of an inch from a touch sensor (e.g.,approximately 12-16 thousandths of an inch). Transistor resistor 1058and diode 1059 may be provided to, for example, isolate the capacitanceof the rest of a card, or other device, circuitry from transistor 1053while transistor 1053 is OFF. Additionally, transistor 1053 may beisolated from any other parasitic capacitance (e.g., supply voltages andground terminals). Similarly, traces may be provided that are minimizedin length in order to decrease parasitic capacitances around transistor1053 and plate 1057.

A processor may apply a voltage across diode 1059 and resistor 1058 toturn transistor 1053 ON. Resistor 1058 may, for example, include aresistance of approximately 0.5k-1.5k (e.g., approximately 1k).

The base of transistor 1053 may also be grounded to ground 1056 viadiode 1055 and resistor 1054. Resistor 1054 may, for example, include aresistance of approximately 7.5k-12.5K (e.g., approximately 10k).

The collector and base of transistor 1053 may be isolated, for example,by forward biased signal diodes. For example, diode 1052 may be providedbetween supply voltage 1051 and transistor 1053. Diodes may be utilizedto block capacitance and may be either forward or reversed biased. Inisolating capacitance from transistor 1053, the capacitance of plate1057 may be more accurately controlled.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that diode 1059 may beprovided to the left of resistor 1058. Persons skilled in the art willalso appreciate that circuitry 1050 may be provided without resistor1054 and diode 1055 if the source control has low impedance wheninactive. Components may be added to, removed from, or modified withincircuitry 1050. For example, the emitter of transistor 1053 may begrounded through a diode (or other circuit component) so that a currentpath may exist through transistor 1053 when transistor 1053 is ON.

FIG. 11 shows device 1100 that may be a touch sensitive display screenwith a GUI having status area 1120, logo 1130, and light communicationarea 1140. Light communication area 1140 may provide light signals to acard in order to communicate information to the card. In turn, the areainside status area 1120 may be utilized to receive touch signals fromthe card. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the same area(e.g., area 1140) may be utilized to communicate both light and touchsignals or different areas may be utilized to communicate light andtouch signals. For example, area 1140 may be utilized to communicatelight signals while the rest of logo 1130 may be utilized to communicatetouch signals. Button 1110 may be included on device 1100 and may be amechanical button.

FIG. 12 shows process flow charts 1210, 1220, and 1230. Process 1210 mayinclude step 1211, in which a card, or other device, may sendsynchronizing touch signals to another card, or other device. Thesynchronization signals may include, for example, a string of aparticular bit of information such as a string of “1”s or a string of“0”s. The card may receive, in step 1212, light signals (or othersignals such as touch signals) indicative of the device receiving thesynchronization signals and processing the synchronization signals sothat the device is synchronized to receive information signals. In step1213, the card may send information touch signals. In step 1214, thecard may send touch signals indicative of the completion of a message.In step 1215, the card may receive signals (e.g., light signals)indicative of a message being received in its entirety. If a device doesnot receive the message properly (e.g., the data was corrupted), thedevice may request, via a light or touch signal, that the message beresent. The device receiving the touch signals may then, for example,communicate information back to the card in a similar manner. In step1212, the return light signals may be, for example, lightsynchronization signals such that the card may synchronize to theexpected light pulses that are to be received.

Process 1220 may include, for example, step 1221, in which aninformation message is repeatedly sent (e.g., via touch signals, lightsignals, or sound signals) from one device (e.g., a card) to anotherdevice (e.g., a mobile telephonic device). Step 1222 may occur in whicha message is received indicative of a successful receipt of the messageprovided in step 1221. Accordingly, the message of 1221 may stop beingsent in step 1223 and a new message may be sent repeatedly in step 1224until the message is acknowledged as being received in step 1225.

Process 1230 may be provided and may include step 1231, in whichidentification information is communicated. Step 1232 may includereceiving acknowledgment of receipt of identification information. Step1233 may include receiving identification information from the otherdevice. Step 1234 and 1235 may be utilized, for example, to exchangeinformation regarding how future data in the communication may beencrypted.

FIG. 13 shows process flow charts 1310, 1320, and 1330. Flow chart 1310includes step 1311, in which a GUI (e.g., running on a mobile phone or aportable computer) receives touch signals from a device such as a card.The GUI may establish secure communications in step 1312 and may receivepayment information in step 1313. The GUI may process the paymentinformation in step 1314 (e.g., via sending the data to a remoteauthorization server) and display indicia of a completed purchase instep 1315.

Process 1320 may be provided and may include step 1321, in which a GUIreceives touch signals. Step 1322 may be included in which the GUIreceives one or more payment card numbers. This communication may be,for example, an insecure communication. The GUI may receive a time-basedor use-based code and may process the card number with this code in step1324. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that additionalinformation may be utilized to process a purchase such as, for example,an expiration date and/or a zip code. Step 1325 may be included in whichthe GUI displays indicia representative of the completed purchase.

Process 1330 may be provided and may include step 1331, in which a GUImay receive touch signals. The GUI may receive a payment card number instep 1332, a time-based or use-based code in step 1333, and a paymentoption in step 1334. For example, a payment option may be to pay for apurchase using points instead of the user's credit line. As per anotherexample, a payment option may be to pay for a purchase in a particularnumber of installments. Data may be processed and the GUI may displayindicia indicative of a completed purchase in step 1335. Persons skilledin the art will appreciate that a completed purchase may include thedisplay of an electronic receipt and information may be communicated tothe card (e.g., via light) so the card may include an updated creditbalance, point balance, or any other information update.

FIG. 14 shows card 1400 that may include a display located substantiallyover one or both sides of the card. Indicia 1450 may be displayed andmay include light communication area 1460. Card 1400 may includecapacitive touch buttons such as capacitive touch button 1430.Capacitive touch button 1430 may also be controlled, for example, toactivate a capacitive touch sensor on another card or device. Similarly,for example, a touch screen of a mobile phone may be provided andoperated, for example, to electronically touch a capacitive touch screenof a different mobile phone (or card).

FIG. 15 shows card 1500 that may include a side with signature line1530, displays 1520 and 1540, dynamic magnetic stripe communicationsdevice 1510, and touch transmitter and light sensor 1560. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that a touch transmitter and lightsensor may be directed to receive and communicate information from areverse side of a card such that a user may hold a card to a display andpress a button on the card to initiate transfer. The card may include asource of light (e.g., LED) on the obverse side of the card to indicatewhen communication to a display via touch has begun, is underway, andhas completed.

FIG. 16 shows topology 1600 that may include touch pulse informationexchange server 1610, card issuer server 1640, light pulse informationexchange server 1670, communication network 1650, authorization server1620, routing server 1630, POS terminal 1660, mobile device 1680 (e.g.,a battery-powered card, a mobile telephonic device, or computingdevice), and any other device 1690 (e.g., a promotional issuance orrewards management server).

FIG. 17 shows device 1700 which may be, for example, a mobile phonehaving a touch sensitive display 1710, physical buttons 1740, andvirtual capacitive touch buttons 1750 on virtual card 1720. Lightcommunications may occur, for example, in area 1780 of indicia 1770. Oneor more capacitive touch sensors may also, for example, be controlled tocommunicate touch pulses (e.g., touch transmitter area 1780).

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of thepresent invention may be implemented in other ways then those describedherein. All such modifications are within the scope of the presentinvention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A mobile phone comprising: a touch sensitivedisplay including one or more capacitive touch sensors operable tocommunicate touch pulses.
 22. The mobile phone of claim 21, furthercomprising: at least one physical button.
 23. The mobile phone of claim21, wherein said touch sensitive display is operable to display avirtual card including at least one virtual capacitive touch button.